Running is 60% Mental and 40% Physical: Part 2

On October 28, 2018 Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Lindsay Carrick, a member of the All-Marine Team, took part in the Challenge Cup, a 41-year-old competition between the Marine Corps and the British Royal Navy/Royal Marines.

Originally from Bucks County in Pennsylvania, Carrick went to Council Rock North High School, where she experienced an underdog win at the 2011 PA State Cross Country Championships to cap off her high school running career.

On military service

“I was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps on May 22, 2015 following my four years at the Naval Academy. When visiting colleges as a lacrosse recruit hopeful, nothing could compare to the camaraderie I found in Annapolis during a fall travel club tournament. After a tour and overnight visit, I was sold—this experience would bring greater meaning and challenges than elsewhere in the civilian world. I can call on my Navy Lacrosse teammates, scattered across the world, for absolutely anything and I am forever grateful for them.

I find that such a supportive family has helped me balance life and my military obligation, especially being a ‘homebody.’ I owe so much of the fun and crazy experiences to my husband, Capt. Chance Carrick (Army Artillery Officer now working with the University of Richmond ROTC Program) who I met at the Army-Navy football game in 2012. Our lifestyle has balanced family, friends, and our personal time together with our 24/7 role as military officers. Therefore, we can agree that running (or in his case, golf) cannot be our top priority if we want to stay balanced.

I’m a 0402 Logistics Officer. I saw time as the Maintenance Management and Motor Transport Officer at 2nd Tank Battalion in Camp Lejeune and now serve as the Training Support Platoon Commander at OCS. Fortunately, 0402 was my top choice while at The Basic School since I appreciated the wide spectrum of roles we’re called to fill.”

On competition with the Brits

“I was so fortunate to run stride for stride with Katie (Royal Navy, first ever marathon) until mile 21 that my thoughts were focused on staying strong for her. I know that sounds a bit convoluted, but I never ran with anyone for that distance and certainly never during a race. Making sure she knew the intricacies of the course while helping with fuel and fluids (shout out to my family for having water and electrolytes at the ready throughout the course) in turn truly kept my mind from wandering. Once across the bridge, I pulled away and approached the final six miles as simply two Performance Fitness Tests (our annual 3-mile run test) which we do back-to-back for Candidate training all the time. I was also trying to focus on the power of my quads to ‘override’ the cramping hamstrings in the final 5k.

Being on the All-Marine team has given me the opportunity to share the work/run balance highs and lows with Marines of all ranks. It strengthens your motivation to become less self-centered while providing experiences of a lifetime. I’m honored to be among the men and women both past and present who represent the Marine Corps when we lace up our shoes.”

A memorable victory

“The Torbay Half-Marathon in June of this year will always bring a smile to my face. Placing third female overall in 1:19:57 to help win back the Challenge Cup was a great feeling, but more so due to that performance on an extremely hilly course in unfamiliar territory. It was made all the more memorable since England had a World Cup match following the race and we were able to share that experience with the Brits in Dartmouth, England.”

On handling disappointment

“I had to handle disappointment following the Navy-Air Force Half Marathon in September 2018 since I didn’t feel strong and had to adjust pace by mile 6. I took it as a way to take a deeper look at my training plan and lean on some teammates and my coach for advice regarding timing of long runs and workouts during the week as well as the necessary recovery. For example, I learned that I got more out of an 18-mile run with the last 5k at race pace than I did out of a 23-mile-long run.”

Carrick’s schedule

“Typical Day for me:

• Wakeup 0530 (0430 if running in the morning)

• Work by 0645 (40 min commute)

• Candidate PT 0700-0830 or later where I’m responsible for the training area checkpoints which involve a tactical vehicle ambulance, driver, radioman/assistant driver, and corpsman so I make my rounds to ensure they’re in high spirits

• Meetings involving vehicle readiness/scheduling/safety inspections/personnel concerns we well as communicating with the platoon

• Leave work around 1800

• Run 1845-2000

• Dinner 2015 (my husband is an amazing cook)

• Watch one show/likely football or other sport event

• In bed by 2200. If during the busy summer candidate cycle, I was at work by 0545 every morning and fitting runs in after candidate PT or late at night!”

Running philosophy

“I believe running is 60 percent mental and 40 percent physical. If you don’t condition yourself to push past the ‘white flag’ signals from your legs or cardio level, your self-perceived limits become reality. But by finding comfort in discomfort, which takes significant practice, that is when barriers are broken, and an overwhelming sense of pride follows suit.

Running has been the most tangible aspect of my life to prove that self-perceived limits are just that. The human body and mind are capable of so much more as long as they stay in tune/the latter stays stronger. It’s surreal to have the Olympic trials qualifying time in my vision, understanding that shedding 3:43 off my PR should not be taken lightly.”

About George Banker

George Banker is the Operations Manager for the Army Ten-Miler (US Army / MDW), the second largest 10-mile road race in the Unites States and this year the race will accept 35,000 runners. The responsibilities include the operational planning, logistics, community outreach, designing of the course, volunteer recruitment, and support to medical and police jurisdictions. Started August 2003.
Prior to joining the Army Ten-Miler he worked 25 years at IBM serving in administration and management within the federal marketing environment in Bethesda, Maryland.
Retired from the U.S. Air Force (Enlisted grade Technical Sergeant) Experience include ground refueling supervisor and cryogenic fluids production supervisor. He received 14 military decorations including the Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (1969-1989).
Since 1983, a freelance photographer and journalist, Senior Writer for the Runner’s Gazette, contributor to Running Journal newspaper, and RunWashington.
District of Columbia Road Runners Club (DCRRC) Hall of Fame Inductee for 2006
The former president and meet director for the Mid-Atlantic Corporate Athletic Association Relays (1986-1993). Director for the Washington’s Birthday Marathon Relay (1989-1999), started the Relay.
Race consultant, and steering committee member with the following events: Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run (1989), George Washington’s Parkway Classic 5K/10 Miler, Lawyer’s Have Heart 10K, Marine Corps Marathon (Historian - Ad Hoc Publicity Committee) , Navy Half Marathon & 5-Miler, and Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon.
State Record Keeper USA Track & Field, 1993 to present.
Chair, Trends and Issues Committee, Road Runners Club of America (RRCA)
1993-2000.
Member USA Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Avid runner, 99 marathons completed and serve in additional capacity as race announcer, media relations, and invited elite runner coordinator for several local area races. Six JFK 50 Miler completed to date. The Marine Corps Marathon in October 2014 will be my 100th marathon and my 31st time running it.
Author of “The Marine Corps Marathon A Running Tradition” (1976-2006) September 2007 publish date. Completed 30 MCM’s to date (2013). (http://www.runwithmeworld.com)
December 2006 MetroSports Athlete of the Month
Hall of Fame Inductee 2011 – Marine Corps Marathon
Running PRs: Marathon 3:04:32 (’88) Houston-Tenneco, Half-Marathon 1:22:40 (’84) Philadelphia Distance Run, 10-Miles 1:02:10 (’87) Army Ten-Miler, 10K 37:42 (’84) Diabetes Derby, 5K 18:28 (’88) Stanford University, 1600 Meters 5:18 (’87) Gallaudet University.
Graduated with an AA in Accounting from Prince George’s Community College with honors, Largo, MD (’76), and a BBA in Accounting from George Washington University, Washington, DC (’84).
Educational community involvement:
Volunteer speaker, Connection Resource Bank, Division of Family and Community
Partnerships, Montgomery County Public Schools (1995- Present)
MCMHistory.com